I am an injured health care worker. My area of practice is working with elderly in residential care facility, and principally in all aspects of daily care.
In December 2009, I was injured when a patient lost hold of the bed rail and his body pushe me backwards on top of me. I am five feet one inches tall, and petite. The injuries sustained as a result have given me chronic pain and symptoms consistent with a mild traumatic brain injury and neck, shoulder and both upper and lower back pain, shooting pain synapses through my left side (legs and arms also). I also have chronic headaches, intermittent nausea and persistent fatigue. Recently I have been diagnosed by a "specialist" employed by the workers rehabilitation sector of the government (my insurers), as having CENTRAL PAIN SYNDROME. I have never until now received any information or mention of this type of diagnosis and I would welcome any and all information regarding this condition and the likelihood I can ever handle doing the same job again, or face future re-injury or permanent disability. Thank you!
Thank you for your question regarding my thread about my injury and the chronic pain and related symptoms I now live with. I have had a few MRI's and blood tests now. After that they diagnosed me with central pain syndrome. After the tests I went to a neurologist who specializes in pain and nerve conduction testing. He passed his diagnosis on to my GP. I am still having trouble understanding about this condition. Any help or shared experiences similar to mine which will further educate me on this are most sincerely appreciated.
They did not find a bulging or herniated disc, but they did find caused from some type of irritation, or aggravation of the injured area in the mid-left side of my back/should area, an inflamed area that they have determined is a benign tumor. They say it is benign, but no biopsy has been ordered? They assure me it is not necessary. Having said all this, I am extremely distressed that with the level of chronic, persistent pain, and my severely diminished range of mobility and strength, will I ever be able to perform the heavy duties of my job again. Will it be possible to work at such a caregiver job, with central pain syndrome. I am doubtful and afraid they are forcing me back to a job that I can no longer perform. Does anyone know about advocacy or my long term prognosis so I can protect my own best interests?
